When people reply to Roommate Wanted ads, it’s both amusing and disconcerting how little information they provide in their replies.
Usually these come in the form of the single-word question:
Available?
Of course it’s available. Why would the ad still be posted if it’s not available? I block these people because if they are this clueless when responding to a roommate ad, they are most likely clueless and annoying in everyday life.
Then there are the people who do some other single word. This is from another person last weekend:
Pets?
What does that mean? Do I have pets? The ad states I have a dog, so let’s cut this person some slack and assume they are asking if I take other pets.
What kind? How many? How big is the pet? Is it potty-trained?
Again, another person too clueless to consider.
Then, on another issue, I received the fifth one of these:
Couples welcome?
Dude. It’s a 1,000 sq. ft. house. Look at the pictures. Does it look as if I’d have three people unless I was forced to do so because they are family?
Also, I just think it’s weird that, between two grown adults — a couple, no less — one of you can’t manage to be approved for your own lease. What is it about the two of you that neither of you can get approved for an apartment of your own?
Last weekend as I was lying in bed thinking about this roommate search — which is what I think about when I wake up and when I go to bed — I wondered, “Am I being too picky? Too paranoid? Are there too many things I consider red flags that make me reject someone outright?”
Then, yesterday, I took the plunge. I did some research on online background check services. I decided to sign-up for one for a monthly fee which you can cancel any time.
Then I ran a check on some of the people I’ve rejected whose answer (or answers) to a question set off my creep/deadbeat/crazy radar.
Man, oh man, have I dodged some bullets. There are some real con artists in my city looking for unsuspecting marks.
More on that later. I have to walk the dog and get ready for work.
